READ Hebrews 9

 Hebrews 9:11-12, “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

 The conjunction which begins verse 11 connects to that which has already been said in verses 1-10.  What these first 10 verses teach us is primarily that the ordinances and sanctuary of the old covenant were mere types.  This is where the conjunction comes into focus.  Verses 11 & 12 are one long sentence which teaches us that the sanctuary and sacrifice of the new covenant are realities fulfilled in the person of our Savior.

We learn from verses 11 & 12 that the result of Jesus’ high priestly ministry is the completion of eternal redemption.  Christ has inaugurated the “good things” promised by the new covenant.  They are no longer future, but present realities.  The sanctuary in which Christ performs His priestly ministry is not part of the physical creation, nor is it something which, like the Levitical tabernacle, was constructed by human effort.

The comparison pointing out the superiority of Christ the Son’s priestly offering is continued in verse 12.  He did not offer the blood of animals in His sacrifice.  Rather, by His very own blood, the blood spoken of in verses 11-14.  He entered the holy sanctuary “…once, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”  So powerful is the blood of Christ that it effected an everlasting redemption from the curse of sin.     

Hallelujah!

We are eternally saved!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

 1.  List some of the more common types or symbols utilized in the Old Testament that point to the redemptive work of Jesus.

2.  How does the foreshadowing of atonement at the tabernacle and/or temple differ from the heavenly sanctuary?

3.  Explain the redemptive work of Christ as described in verse 12, “…by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place…”

4.  How should you respond to the fact that you are eternally saved?